When it comes to business and the potential for new jobs, the picture still looks pretty bleak when you hear from Wells Fargo Economist Mark Vitner: “Sales are 20%-30% below where they were pre-recession and they’re not coming back, so folks don’t really want to hire. Their second biggest concern is: their taxes have increased and their regulatory burden has increased.” He says companies are being highly selective when hiring and looking for people who can contribute directly to improving their situation quickly. Vitner is in Portland speaking to local businesses on the state of the national and local economies.